The cover of this issue is Exhibit A in the case of the resurrection of the enthusiast. While we fear our days are numbered and that we face certain death by autonomous pod resembling pregnant jellybean, we must rise again. Our benevolent saviours – BMW & Suzuki.
The question that comes to mind, then, is what makes these two machines in particular – the BMW M2 & Suzuki Jimny – the keepers of the flame? If it’s that they’re both old-school, can we infer that old-school equals fun while new-age translates to inert or sterile?
Let’s delve deeper. What is it that facilitates this somewhat incomprehensible connection between person and machine? One facet that draws me to a machine, strangely, are its imperfections that convulse to form its own unique personality. Like any relationship that’s worth something, you accept this one too for what it is – warts and all! As long as, at the end of the day, it results in a richer life.
After all, you need to overcome that odd quirk or two to forge a deeper relationship – something you must conquer to reach the Promised Land. Take a perfectly executed heel-and-toe downshift for instance, you could liken it to doing the Tango. You need a willing and equally skilled dance partner to experience the fleeting moment of joy that accompanies footsie with a trio of pedals. It takes effort, thought and skill. The reward is knowing that you’ve performed it just right. The transmission thanks you too, and for a brief moment you feel as though you and your trusty ‘daily’ could take on Fernando Alonso and his Aston Martin F1 racer – at least if the contest were restricted to fancy footwork.
The Jimny is light, playful, and hugely capable. And it will take you to the ends of the Earth if you so choose. The M2 is insanely fast – certainly more than necessary – but can anything ever be too fast? Sure, EVs will be faster, but they won’t be as engaging. And if it’s engagement that you’re after, get an M2 with a manual gearbox – it’ll give you a sense of involvement that no EV can ever dream of.
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So, what’s the verdict – flawed is fantastic? Seems contrarian, but we’re nothing if not flawed beings. I can explain it no better than to defer to the wise words of Samuel L Jackson’s character in Pulp Fiction when he declares, “Personality goes a long way.”
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